MEAGER CREEK AND KEYHOLE HOT SPRINGS VISITOR USE MANAGEMENT PROJECT

PUBLIC ONLINE SURVEY What We Heard MAY 2020 Table of Contents

1 MEAGER CREEK AND KEYHOLE HOT SPRINGS PUBLIC ONLINE SURVEY RESULTS 1 About the Meager Creek and Keyhole Hot Springs Visitor Use Management Project 1 About the Survey 1 Engagement Timeframe 1 Response Rate

2 SECTION 1: MEAGER CREEK HOT SPRINGS

4 SECTION 2: KEYHOLE HOT SPRINGS

7 SECTION 3: GENERAL

8 SECTION 4: ABOUT YOU

8 FOOTNOTES

CAPRICORN LANDSLIDE (ABOVE PHOTO)

MEAGER CREEK AND KEYHOLE HOT SPRINGS VISITOR USE MANAGEMENT PROJECT PUBLIC ONLINE SURVEY WHAT WE HEARD MAY 2020

FRONT AND BACK COVER IMAGE: THE UPPER

COPYRIGHT © 2020, PROVINCE OF . ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

THIS MATERIAL IS OWNED BY THE GOVERNMENT OF BRITISH COLUMBIA AND PROTECTED BY COPYRIGHT LAW. IT MAY NOT BE REPRODUCED OR REDISTRIBUTED WITHOUT THE PRIOR WRITTEN PERMISSION OF THE PROVINCE OF BRITISH COLUMBIA. HOT SPRINGS PLATEAU ABOVE MEAGER CREEK (ABOVE PHOTO) Input from this survey will inform the planning process and Meager Creek and Keyhole be considered by project partners to identify objectives for Hot Springs Public Online the future management of Meager Creek & Keyhole Hot Springs. Additional public engagement opportunities will Survey Results be available at a later date once proposed management actions have been identified. Opportunities and information will be posted on our project website.3 ABOUT THE MEAGER CREEK AND KEYHOLE HOT SPRINGS VISITOR USE ENGAGEMENT TIMEFRAME MANAGEMENT PROJECT January 12 – March 16, 2020 The Province is partnering with Líĺwat Nation to address visitor use management at Meager Creek and Keyhole RESPONSE RATE Hotsprings. Meager Creek and Keyhole Hot Springs are 773 responses were received both natural hot springs in the remote Upper Lillooet River Valley, located about 60 kilometers northwest of the

Village of Pemberton, within the territory of Líĺwat Nation. N These hot springs have high cultural and spiritual values, wildlife and ecological values, as well as recreational values. MEAGER CREEK AND However, both hot springs have seen negative impacts KEYHOLE HOT SPRINGS AREA from overuse in the past.

Meager Creek Hot Springs was once a popular recreation site, but has been closed since the Capricorn landslide, the largest recorded landslide in , destroyed road access in 2010. Road access has been re-established via a different route, but Meager Creek Hot Springs remains closed due to public safety concerns. Keyhole Hot Springs (also known as Pebble Creek Hot Springs) has been closed seasonally since 2017 due to wildlife conflicts caused by recreational users. In light of changes to access and recent increases in public visitation during site closures, the Province andLíĺwat Nation are taking this opportunity to enter into a planning process to reassess management of both hot springs. This process is guided by the Visitor Use Management Framework.1

0 10 20 30 km The Fraser Basin Council, as an impartial facilitator, is assisting with collaboration and engagement with local LEGEND government, stakeholders and the public. For more Visitor Use Management Project information please visit our project website.2 Sea to Sky Natural Resource District Protected Areas ABOUT THE SURVEY The Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations PROJECT AREA: SEA TO SKY NATURAL RESOURCE DISTRICT AND THE MEAGER CREEK AND KEY HOLE HOT SPRINGS VISITOR and Rural Development is partnering with Líĺwat Nation, USE MANAGEMENT PROJECT AREA. (ABOVE MAP) and working with local government, stakeholder groups, and the public to understand the diversity of values, interests, and concerns at both hot springs. The Fraser Basin Council assisted with this survey.

PAGE 1 MEAGER CREEK AND KEYHOLE HOT SPRINGS VISITOR USE MANAGEMENT PROJECT | PUBLIC ONLINE SURVEY | WHAT WE HEARD QUESTION #4: Section 1: Meager Creek What do you think is special, meaningful or Hot Springs unique about Meager Creek Hot Springs and the surrounding area? (check all that apply)

QUESTION #1: Wilderness values How many times have you been to Meager Creek Hot Springs? Recreation values

Never been, and have no interest in going Wildlife values 2% Never been, but Ecological values would like to go 46% Less than 5 times Geology values 33% Between 5-10 times 10% Cultural or spiritual values Over 10 times 9% Hunting, gathering values QUESTION #2: Have you visited Meager Creek Hot Springs since Economic/Tourism values the 2010 landslide?

0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 NUMBER OF RESPONSES

Yes 26% No 74%

QUESTION #3: Do you typically visit Meager Hot Springs for day use or overnight use?

Day 34% Overnight 25% N/A 41%

MEAGER CREEK NEAR MEAGER HOT SPRINGS (ABOVE PHOTO)

PAGE 2 MEAGER CREEK AND KEYHOLE HOT SPRINGS VISITOR USE MANAGEMENT PROJECT | PUBLIC ONLINE SURVEY | WHAT WE HEARD QUESTION #6: What concerns do you have with the current situation and activities at Meager Creek Hot Springs? (Please indicate how concerned you are with the following:)

Unauthorized commercial/guided use is occurring

Visitor behavior is inappropriate or disrespectful

Impacts to unique ecosystem

Disruption and impacts to wildlife

Hot springs are closed to public

Visitors are not well informed of safety risks

Public use is occurring despite the closure

OLD SIGNAGE AT MEAGER CREEK HOTSPRINGS (ABOVE PHOTO) Lack of on-site management/maintenance QUESTION #5:

How important to you is it that the following Impacts to cultural and spiritual values values are protected at Meager Creek Hot Springs?

Wilderness values Safety risks

Wildlife values Health risks

Ecological values Economic benefits or tourism opportunities are being missed

Recreation values 0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 NUMBER OF RESPONSES

Cultural or spiritual values Not at all concerned Slightly unconcerned Neutral Moderately concerned Very concerned No opinion

Geology values (research & education)

Hunting, gathering values

Economic/Tourism values

0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 NUMBER OF RESPONSES

Not at all important Slightly unimportant Neutral Moderately important Very important No opinion

PAGE 3 MEAGER CREEK AND KEYHOLE HOT SPRINGS VISITOR USE MANAGEMENT PROJECT | PUBLIC ONLINE SURVEY | WHAT WE HEARD QUESTION #7: What is most important to you for the future Section 2: Keyhole Hot Springs management and use of Meager Creek Hot Springs? (check all that apply) QUESTION #9: How many times have you been to Keyhole Maintaining the natural state of the hot springs Hot Springs?

Protecting wildlife, wildlife habitat, and unique ecosystems Never been, and have no interest in going 1% Allowing the public to visit the hot springs Never been, but would like to go 41% Ensuring visitors are well prepared and well informed about the area Less than 5 times 38% Between 5-10 times Keeping the hot springs clean and facilities maintained 14% Over 10 times Managing risks from natural hazards and protecting public safety 6%

QUESTION #10: Increased management presence at the hot springs Have you visited Keyhole Hot Springs since the new Lil’watátkwa7 trail was built in 2014? Continuing the site closure

Allowing guided, commercial use of the hot springs recreation site Yes 41% Commercializing or developing the hot springs No 59%

0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 NUMBER OF RESPONSES QUESTION #11: Do you typically visit Keyhole Hot Springs for day QUESTION #8: use or overnight use? In your opinion, what would be the best option for future visitor use management at Meager Creek Hot Springs? (please check one) Day 43% Overnight Closed to the public to 18% protect public safety and other important values N/A 8% 39% Open to the public with restrictions to protect public safety and other important values 75% Open to the public with no restrictions 16% No opinion 1%

PAGE 4 MEAGER CREEK AND KEYHOLE HOT SPRINGS VISITOR USE MANAGEMENT PROJECT | PUBLIC ONLINE SURVEY | WHAT WE HEARD KEYHOLE HOT SPRINGS (ABOVE PHOTO)

QUESTION #12: QUESTION #13: What do you think is special, meaningful or unique How important to you is it that the following about Keyhole Hot Springs and the surrounding are protected at Keyhole Hot Springs and the area? (check all that apply) Lil’watátkwa7 trail?

Wilderness values Wilderness values

Recreation values Wildlife values

Wildlife values Ecological values

Ecological values Recreation values

Geology values Cultural or spiritual values

Cultural or spiritual values Geology values (research and education)

Hunting, gathering values Hunting, gathering values

Economic/Tourism values Economic/Tourism values

0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 NUMBER OF RESPONSES NUMBER OF RESPONSES

Not at all important Slightly unimportant Neutral Moderately important Very important No opinion

PAGE 5 MEAGER CREEK AND KEYHOLE HOT SPRINGS VISITOR USE MANAGEMENT PROJECT | PUBLIC ONLINE SURVEY | WHAT WE HEARD QUESTION #14: QUESTION #15: What concerns do you have with the current What is most important to you about the future situation and activities at Keyhole Hot Springs & management and use of Keyhole Hot Springs & the the Lil’watátkwa7 trail? (Please indicate how concerned Lil’watátkwa7 trail? (check all that apply) you are with the following:) Maintaining the natural state of the hot springs Visitor behavior is inappropriate or disrespectful

Protecting wildlife, wildlife habitat, and unique ecosystems Disruption and impacts to wildlife

Ensuring visitors are well prepared and well informed about the area Impacts to unique ecosystem

Managing risks from natural hazards and protecting public safety Public use is occurring despite the closure

Increased management presence at the hot springs Visitors are not well informed of safety risks

Allowing the public to visit the hot springs Impacts to cultural and spiritual values

Continuing seasonal closure There are no visitor facilities

Allowing guided, commercial use of the hot springs recreation site The hot springs & trail are closed seasonally to public

Commercializing or developing the hot springs There is no on-site management

0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 Safety risks NUMBER OF RESPONSES

Health risks QUESTION #16: In your opinion, what would be the best option

Lack of nearby camping for future visitor use management at Keyhole Hot Springs? (please check one)

Winter access is difficult/unreliable

Closed to the public to protect public safety and Economic benefits or tourism opportunities are being missed other important values 7% Open to the public with 0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 restrictions to protect public NUMBER OF RESPONSES safety and other important values Not at all concerned Slightly unconcerned Neutral 77% Moderately concerned Very concerned No opinion Open to the public with no restrictions 15% No opinion 1%

PAGE 6 MEAGER CREEK AND KEYHOLE HOT SPRINGS VISITOR USE MANAGEMENT PROJECT | PUBLIC ONLINE SURVEY | WHAT WE HEARD Section 3: General » Keep it natural & wild; maintain the feel of wilderness. » More education & information is needed. • Inform visitors of risks from natural hazards, how QUESTION #17: to behave respectfully, and the principals of Leave Do you feel you have adequate knowledge about No Trace. the risks to public safety from landslides in the Upper Lillooet River Valley? » Limit the numbers of visitors. • Consider charging fees to support maintenance & management; require permits. Yes 70% » Protect the hotsprings from impacts due to unedu- No cated, ill-prepared, and/or disrespectful visitors. 30% » Prevent overuse. Provide basic facilities to minimize impacts from use » (i.e. toilets, bear caches). QUESTION #18: Does your knowledge of the level of risk to public » On-site management is needed (i.e. full-time caretaker). safety from landslides influence your decision to » It is hypocritical to allow industrial use but restrict visit this area? public access to the backcountry on account of wildlife and environmental protection. Impacts from industry Yes, the level of risk influ- ences my decision to visit, are much greater and the risks from hazards are the and I would not visit when same. This is why people don’t respect the closures. risk is elevated. 74% » Prioritize protecting wildlife & the environment over No, the level of risk does not public use. influence my decision to visit, and I would still visit when » Risks can be managed, let people make their own risk is elevated. 22% informed decisions around hazard & risk. N/A » More enforcement of rules & fines for those who 4% break them.

QUESTION #19: » Prohibit helicopter access at either site; Is there anything else you would like to share non-motorized access only. about Meager & Keyhole Hot Springs? » Site closures do not deter disrespectful use. (This was an open-ended question; responses have » First Nations should be actively involved been grouped into themes and listed below in order in management. of frequency.) » Do not advertise these hotsprings. » Do not commercialize or develop the hotsprings; do » Social media has contributed to issues with overuse; not allow guided tours. discourage the use of social media at these sites » Allow public access to the backcountry; it is through signage. unacceptable to close public access to backcountry. » These natural hotsprings are beautiful, unique, special places. » Manage for recreational use, allow for some public use; do not turn a blind eye to the demand. » Make it difficult to access Meager Hotsprings, this will deter disrespectful visitors and effectively MOUNT PLINTH, PART OF THE MOUNT MEAGER VOLCANIC limit visitation. COMPLEX (ABOVE PHOTO)

PAGE 7 MEAGER CREEK AND KEYHOLE HOT SPRINGS VISITOR USE MANAGEMENT PROJECT | PUBLIC ONLINE SURVEY | WHAT WE HEARD QUESTION #21: Where do you go for information on Meager and Keyhole Hot Springs? (check all that apply)

YELLOW MONKEY FLOWER AT KEYHOLE HOTSPRINGS (ABOVE PHOTO)

Friends/Family/Word of mouth Section 4: About You 24% Facebook 15% QUESTION #20: Instagram 3% Where are you from? Other social media 4%

Rec Sites & Trails Website 25%

Tourism Pemberton 5%

Other website 12%

Guidebook 6%

None 2%

Other 4% Pemberton/Mt. Currie/D’arcy 22% * Other: 4wd Association of BC; Google; and Province’s road Whistler/Squamish conditions page. 22%

Greater Vancouver area 42% Footnotes Lillooet 1% 1 Other location within BC https://tinyurl.com/r6p3on2 11% 2 https://tinyurl.com/ybwotuhh Outside BC 2% 3 https://tinyurl.com/ybltqp88

PAGE 8 MEAGER CREEK AND KEYHOLE HOT SPRINGS VISITOR USE MANAGEMENT PROJECT | PUBLIC ONLINE SURVEY | WHAT WE HEARD